New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-01-23
!" RUDDYGORE."
GILBERT AND sULLIvAN'S NEW OPERA PRO
DUCED In LONDON.
A COMPLEX PLOT OF wrTCHCRAFr AND LOvE-MAU
ING-oUTLINE OF THE ENTIRE wORK-RK-
CEIvED BY A BRILLIANT AUDIENCE
WITH ENTHUSIASTIC APPLAUSE,
FEW KISSES AND
some GROANa

WITH ENTHUSIASTIC APPLAUSE,
FEW KISSES AND
some ORGANS.
tBY CABLE TO THE TRIBUNE.l
LONDON, Jan. 22.-Mr. Gilbert describes Rudy.
gore; or The Witch's Curse" which was produced
amid keen excitement and after long expectation
at the Savoy Theatre this evening. as an entirely
original supernatural opera in two acts. The
period is early in the present century. and the
scene Is laid in Cornwall; the first act IN the fish.
ing village of Rederrng, aud the second act in tho
picture gallery in Ruddygore Castle.
The curtain rose at S:15 on one of the most brill
liant representative houses ever seen in London
theatre. In one Of the centre stalls sat Lord and
Lady Randolph Churchill, near them the Earl Of
Dunraven, and elsewhere Alfred Rothschlld and
party. Mrs. Ronald and daughter. Mrs. Mackay
and Count Dillon. Mr.. aud Mrs. Henry Manners,
Sir Charles and Lady Russell. Sir John Milais
Whistler, Marcus Stone, Mr.. Burnand and Abani.
who looked on with smile Of pleased interest while
Miss Braham sang her first ballad. Henry Labou-
chere sat just behind Lord Randolph Churchill,
and had q conference with him between
acts When Lord Randolph returned to his seat he
cheered from all parts of the house. The over
ture was received with applause, and applause was
the rule during the whole Of the first act People
charmed with the freshness of the costumes
When the chorus made its first entrance Miss Bra
ham, Mr.. Goldsmith, Mr. Sely and Mr.. Darlington
were cheered as they came on in succession. The
tone Of the house was Enthusiastically friendly to au-
thOrs and artists.
After Miss Braham's ballad the first encore came
for Mr.. Sely. whose ballad.
"I shipped, dye see, in a revenue sloop,"
was greeted with roar of applause which be-
came still louder as Mr. Sely proceeded 10
dance a hornpipe in the most approved Brit
ish style. The audience found no difficulty
in following the plot. During the whole Of
the first act Mr. Gberts quaint caprices were
taken up by the house and laughter resounded
everywhere during most Of the earlier scenes
When the very elaborate finale of the first act was
reached. with Its SUGGESTIONS Of duets. cboruses.
madrigals, gavotte solos, and trios the whole went
merrily to the end and was followed by display of
enthusiasm which forced the curtain up again and
a repetition of the last of the scene.
Down tOthis point the success of the piece seemed
never a moment i'll doubt. In the earlier part
of the second act the impression prevailed.
Things went in little slower time, but the curious
transformation of the gallery Of family
portraits into gallery richly appaIeed
ancestors living and moving, delighted rhe house.
But from the time when the ghosts resumed their
places IN the frames the piece began TO drag slight
". The patter trio between Mr.. Grossmth. Mr..
spirits, and the ballad sung by Miss Brandram was
one of the most charming things in the whole per-
formance But the audience failed to follow rap
idly or successfully Mr.. Gilberts rather too compl-
Gated ngenuites The tire ad Of the plot seemed at
times to be lost and when the curtain went
down at the end cheers were mingled with slight
Kisses and some groans. But the applause, never
theess, brought out artists, authors aud manager.
With some alterations in the last act there seems
TO be to doubt that the favorable imptes-
sion produced by the first act might be maintained
10 the end Sir Arthur Sullvans own account OF
his music that he had written it to please him.
self. Critics thought there were. perhaps
fewer taking airs than in The
Mikado." but as a whole they sweet, descriptive
and popular.
The following is an outline of the plot and story,
which proceed by the he p of seventeen draaatis
personG. of whom nine are mortals aud eight are
ghosts:
SIR Despayd Mwgatroyd of Ruddygore Castle. be-
longs to a line accursed. Sir Rupert. the founder
of the house. employed his leisure and his riches in
prosecuting witches. One day he roasted a paisied
bag on the village green. Before yielding up the
ghost she pronounced a curse upon Sir rupert and
all his descendants declaring that each Lord Of
Rudy gore should thenceforth forever commit ono
crime day or die in torture. But Sir Despgrd. al.
though compelled to commit q crime daily. is only
half bad. He does his crime the first th ng IN the
and for the rest Of the day he does good
He steals child, and builds an orphan asylum ne
robs bank. and endOws a Blshopric. Nevertheless,
he is held in hearty detestation in the little village
of Rederring There pretty girls without end.
They constitute an endowed corps OF professional
bridesmaids But they are not happy. Every
A.
prettiest girl of the lot, and until sae makes her
choice they stand no chance of getting married.
When she was baby. Rose was left at the work.
house door with only n onange of baby linen and q
book Of etiquette written by the wife Of a Lord
Mayor. The book OF etiquette she regards asa
voice from the tomb and by its solemn precepts
she tests the moral worth of all who
approach her. Thus the village SWANS find
little favor in her eyes except young
Robin Odkapple, who combines the manners of o
Marquis with the morals of Methodist. With hun
she Is desperately IN love- Robin loves her also but
is too bashful to declare his affections and etiquette
will not permit Rose to give him hint.
At this juncture there turns up Richard Dauntiess
Robins foster-brother, bold seaman belonging to
The tom Tit,' which has spared more French frig-
ties than any other British craft ahoat Richard
s not at all afflicted with mOdesty and undertakes
20 WOO and win the fair Rose for Robin, But no
alls In love with her on his own ac-
count. and Rose. despite her timldity and
III the rules Of etiquette speedily succumbs to
IFS rough and ready lovc-making Robin. comes
lpon them in tho thick of it. and imagnes that
Richard has already won the coveted prize for HIM
lie gives Rose o rapturous embrace ami then learns
hat she has accepted his foster-brother.
FOR o while the situation looks gloomy
or Robin But after discovering that Robin
owes her. Rose. whose maiden modesty and
'urltanical notions do not prevent her from prop
rly approaching worldly possessions finds she has
hanged her mind and promises to wed Robin on tine
morrow.
Tna IN pIo thictaus picb1r1 knows hat